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Magnitude 7.6 Earthquake Hits Large Swath of Subcontinent And on the Other Side of the World, Mudslides Kill Hundreds More on the Visa Office at Bumrungrad Hospital Macau 2005, 4th East Asian Games and 52nd Macau Grand Prix Coming from Late October into November Martin Taylor Trio to Play in Bangkok Sale at Dasa Book Cafe until the End of October Bob's Birthday Bash at The Office Bar&Grill American Citizen Services Unit Personnel to Visit Phuket * * * * * * * * * * Just a reminder you can sign-up for free to receive the BangkokAtoZ.com Updates (plain text) e-mail to always know when I add something new to the site or modify it in some important way. A great way to be sure YOU don't miss something of interest, best of all is that this service is absolutely FREE! * * * * * * * * * * Magnitude 7.6 Earthquake Hits Large Swath of Subcontinent Monday, October 10, 2005 Nature is inflicting further terrible tolls in the Indian Subcontinent, where a large earthquake struck late Saturday night, hitting Pakistan and India especially hard, according to reports so far. As of about 2 hours ago (noon, Bangkok time/GMT +7), the latest death toll has already soared well over 20,000 in Pakistan alone, with another 2,000+ dead in Indian-controlled Kashmir. A number of nations from around the world, the European Union, the United Nations, and a number of nongovernmental organizations, including The Red Cross, The Red Crescent, and Oxfam, have sent various forms of aid or are doing so/planning to affected areas. In that mountainous region, the weather is another contributor to survivors' misery; at this time of the year, the nights are frigid, and many have lost their homes and been left with no shelter. One Pakistanis official was quoted in several stories I read as saying he fears the death toll could go much higher, as relief workers are still struggling to reach areas isolated by the destruction of roads and communication networks. Helicopters are being dispatched to aid in rushing supplies to victims. Unfortunately, there is a political dimension to this in India, where the military has been accused of some Kashmiris of at best taking care of their own first -- so far, 54 soldiers have been reported killed when their bunkers collapsed -- at worst simply driving by them, sometimes reporters in tow. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the quoted Pakistani official turns out to be wrong. I'll update when and if appropriate. Update, 10:53 A.M. Tuesday, October 11, 2005: While the news is inconsistent coming out of the devastated area, it seems clear that the number of casualties will rise over the coming days; 1 report I read posted about 2:00 A.M. this morning puts the death toll at "more than 30,000" while another that shows only "October 10, 2005" but no hour says "up to 40,000." That's no criticism of news agencies, governmental agencies, or international and nongovernmental organizations; after all, gathering information is exceedingly difficult in this sort of situation. Other reports I've read put the number of people made homeless, primarily in Pakistan, at anywhere from 2.5 million to 4.5 million. Help in beginning to pour in; various groups in a position to help have responded with admirable speed to get personnel, supplies, aircraft, etc. to the scene. * * * * * * * * * * And on the Other Side of the World, Mudslides Kill Hundreds Monday, October 10, 2005 I flat missed the story when heavy rains caused by the aftermath of Hurricane Stan unleashed torrential rains last week causing mudslides killed as many as 1,400 people in a Mayan village in Guatemala alone when the village was buried by mud up to 12.3m/40ft deep; the system cased over 400 other deaths elsewhere in Guatemala, the rest of Central America, and Mexico. I haven't seen any figures more recent than last Friday, figures I read in an online story from then. In the case of the village, Guatemalan law presented a problem: for reasons of health, rescuers are limited to 72 hours to recover bodies and any possible survivors; there is being consideration given to declaring the village a mass grave -- which runs head-on into Mayan tradition, in which proper burial is given great store. (I tried to find more recent information, but couldn't. If I find out more before Friday, I'll update here.) I can understand the public health hazard, but I also sympathize with survivors wanting to honor their centuries'-old traditions. I sure wouldn't want to be the person making the call. The floods in the northeastern U.S. that struck there Sunday, causing at least 3 deaths, make a 3rd, if smaller-in-scope, story in this trio of natural disasters. Update, 11:14 A.M. Tuesday, October 11, 2005: The news from Guatemala in particular and Central America in Mexico may be a little more encouraging, are at least maybe not as discouraging as originally thought, though the affected areas have suffered a heavy hit, by any measure. Officials are saying there are 500+ confirmed dead in Guatemala, considerably fewer than I reported yesterday. Even so, tens of thousands of people have been made both homeless and jobless, and in some cases, those people are also injured. With luck, the numbers will turn out to be lower than feared at first. * * * * * * * * * * More on the Visa Office at Bumrungrad Hospital Monday, October 10, 2005 I wrote some weeks ago about the new visa office authorities of the Immigration Bureau has thoughtfully opened in one of the Kingdom's most famous hospitals. Today I called to get further details. The good news for people living in this part of town is that the office is open 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday (except public holidays, I suppose) -- and it's open to all foreigners, not just those in the hospital or accompanying a hospital patient. For those wanting a visa extension, there is a caveat, the officers who handle that particular process appear only on Wednesdays. The officer was clearly rushed -- though extremely polite -- so I didn't have time to get further details. I read somewhere online that patients can get a free 30-day extension if their course of treatment requires it. I assume that applies to their accompanying family members or friends. I also assume there is some provision for those extensions when the date a doctor makes his decision isn't a Wednesday and the person's visa will expire before the next Wednesday. It clearly wouldn't apply to the rest of us. The Immigration Bureau is getting more user-friendly as the years go by; it's hardly recognizable compared to what it was like when I got here over a decade ago. Sometime back the authorities instituted a service in which if there is a minimum number of employees needing their yearly visas renewed, the Bureau will send a team to the work site to take care of them. Medical tourism still remains something of an oddity in some people's mind, but about half of Bumrungrad's patients are just such tourists, and their numbers run into the hundreds of thousands annually. Now a branch office in a medical facility to assist those needing it plus the rest of us -- what an excellent idea. Since I live in this area, it sure was nice to learn about the visa extension service, even if it is available only on Wednesdays. Kudos to the folks at the Immigration Bureau are in order! * * * * * * * * * * Macau 2005, 4th East Asian Games and 52nd Macau Grand Prix Coming from Late October into November Tuesday, October 11, 2005 Macau is set to host the 4th East Asian Games October 29-November 6, 2005. (The link is to the English version of the official web site; for those more comfortable reading Portuguese and/or Chinese, there are links to versions in those languages at the top right of the home page, the links written in those languages.) There were nearly 400,000 tickets put on sale in August for the opening and closing ceremonies and 17 sporting events; you can read details on the page detailing ticketing for the 4th East Asian Games, including prices for tickets. Events range from Aquatics to Wushu (Chinese martial arts). See the schedule for the 4th East Asian Games for details. The 4th East Asian Games will scarcely be over when the 52nd Macau Grand Prix will take place, set for November 17-20, 2005. You can see both the 52nd Macau Grand Prix schedule and the 52nd Grand Prix ticket prices various days and various locations along the circuit. Prices for the first 2 days range from free to MOP/HK$30 and from MOP/HK$80 to MOP/HK$400 on race days. For 5 of the 7 viewing areas, there are 2-day package deals ranging from MOP/HK$120 to MOP/HK$700; these packages offer considerable savings. Eight Macau patacas equal US$1.00 almost exactly. The Hongkong dollar is universally accepted -- and with pleasure, as it is worth slightly more than a pataca at about HK$7.77 to US$1.00. In other words, if you pay MOP1,000 for something, it will cost about US$125.00. But if you pay HK$1,000, you'll be paying about US$128.70, or roughly 3% more, in U.S. dollar terms, than you'll pay if you in patacas. Whether you visit for one or both events, Macau has much worth exploring. Downtown has been well preserved in Portuguese style. Land reclamation has taken away a lot of the view, especially of the Outer Harbor (between Macau on the mainland and Taipa Island). The shore used to be directly beside much of the single lengthy straight segment of the race circuit, for example; no more. But 2 artificial lakes were created along the waterfront along part of the harbor, with a nice fountain and a 60+ storey futuristic "needle," with a spectacular viewing platform at the top. It likely will be too cool to swim, but you can eat a pleasant meal in open-air restaurants. Several particularly nice ones sit next to or very near the beach on Coloane Island, previously a separate island from Taipa Island and further out into the South China Sea than Taipa, though both natural silting and land reclamation of joined them into one large island, despite their retaining their individual names. Visas for Macau remain the same as when I lived there, I've been told -- but check. Last time I was there, in mid 2002, my Sister and I met in Hongkong, where we were granted 30-day visas on arrival for free. When we went to Macau, we got the same there. You can even get a separate visa to enter China proper from either city, and have the choice of a visa that gives you limited geographical access or of a visa for the entire country. (But it is probably better for you to get a visa ahead of time from a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad.) From some destinations, it is possible to fly directly into the Macau International Island on Taipa Island, just minutes from the city proper on the mainland. If you like casinos, you'll love Macau. Several Western, Las Vegas style casinos have opened in recent years. I've seen stretches of the Macau Grand Prix, and given that a substantial part of the course is along steep, wrinkled hillsides, causing a winding course, it is exciting. I've loved Macau ever since I first arrived in early September, 1990. Many tourists go to Hongkong, and some even take a day trip to Macau, but that doesn't begin to do it justice. It's worth at least a couple or so full days. This is a red letter season for China's younger Special Administrative Region, which Macau became at the stroke of midnight December 19-20, 1999. * * * * * * * * * * Martin Taylor Trio to Play in Bangkok Wednesday, October 12, 2005 I have never heard of this group, but I got an e-mail from an outfit called AMI Events announcing concert dates for this jazz group from Great Britain, so I did a little checking. Both the organizer and the trio appear to be legitimate. As best as I can discover, the Martin Taylor Trio play violin, piano, and saxophone. I tried to find a sound sample online but couldn't, so can't give my [unprofessional] take on the group's music. But jazz aficionados well may want to check this out. The trio's concert Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at the Main Theater of the Thai Cultural Center certainly has some serious backers: The Bangkok Post, UBC, and Thai Airways. Tickets for the event range from 600 to 2,000 baht. Here's the poster that came along with the e-mail from AMI -- which, by the way, is an acronym for "Asian Music International" --
Since I *am* unfamiliar with the Martin Taylor Trio, I'm not sure I'll check it out, but I do like jazz, so the event is tempting. I reckon if they won the British Jazz Award 11 times, they must have *something* going for their music! * * * * * * * * * * Wednesday, October 12, 2005 Seems some folks have absolutely no qualms about taking advantage of other people's disastrous misfortunes such as those affected by Hurricane Katrina and the earthquakes that devastated large parts of India and Pakistan. Got a heads-up from a man whose e-mail newsletter focused on viruses, worms, other malware, and scams about yet another scam that sprang up in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. I thought about reproducing his warning about this particular scam here, but decided there's a better way to go about alerting folks: If you get an e-mail soliciting funds for disaster victims, DELETE IT IMMEDIATELY. Legitimate charity organizations do not solicit funds via e-mail. Contact organizations such as the International Red Cross, the International Red Crescent, UNICEF, the Salvation Army, etc. etc. etc. -- and there are very many such fine organizations -- directly should you wish to donate. These scammers make me want to puke. Better still, to pull the trigger. Please don't let the kindness of your heart be abused; if you're able and willing to help those in such desperate need, you certainly deserve better treatment than to be deceived into giving away your hard-earned money (or, for that matter, your inherited wealth, though the principle is the same -- it's your money). * * * * * * * * * * Sale at Dasa Book Cafe until the End of October Wednesday, October 12, 2005
I should have included this last
week, but flat ran out of time. Donald at
Dasa Book Cafe is running a great
sale at his shop on Sukhumvit Road just east of Sukhumvit Soi 26 on the south
side of Sukhumvit Road. Here's the e-mail I got from Donald on the 5th: Save Money this month at Dasa Book Cafe!
Don’t wait until Halloween to experience ghosts, vampires, bandits, pirates and other assorted creeps and criminals (politicians included!). From now until October 31 customers at Dasa Book Café will receive a 10% Discount on all secondhand titles in the Mystery, Horror and Children’s book sections.
Dasa currently has over 11,000 used books in stock. A list of the shop’s current stock is updated weekly and can be downloaded on the Dasa website www.dasabookcafe.com Dasa customers can also sell back books or exchange them for store credit (this credit can be used for coffee and desserts as well as for other books!).
Dasa Book Café is open every day of the week, from 10 am until 8 pm. The shop is located directly on Sukhumvit Road, between Soi 26 and 28 (across the street from the Tops Miracle Mall), about a 5-minute walk from the Emporium and the BTS Phrom Phong Skytrain station.
Tel: 02-661-2993 E-mail: info@dasabookcafe.com I can vouch for the great selection of titles available at Dasa; when I went just to meet Donald, I ended up spending something on the order of 1,500 baht, the prices were so good! The place offers refreshments in the form of coffee, tea, soda pop, fruit juice, and various sweets. Book lovers, this is *definitely* a place to put on your radar. * * * * * * * * * * Bob's Birthday Bash at The Office Bar&Grill Friday, October 14, 2005 Tomorrow is the birthday of one of the 2 owners of the ever-popular Office Bar&Grill just off Sukhumvit Soi 33. I had an e-mail from Bob today announcing his birthday party plans, so I want to pass that message along:
SATURDAY Bob is one of the white-hat guys -- go by and wish him a Happy-Happy! * * * * * * * * * * Unit Personnel to Visit Phuket Friday, October 14, 2005 I received an e-mail from the American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy here in Bangkok a couple days ago announcing a pending visit of staff members of the ACS to Phuket to provide services (detailed below) to Americans in the Phuket area. Here's the e-mail in full: Dear Phuket Area American Citizens, The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce an upcoming Embassy consular visit to Phuket. Consular staff will be available to provide consular services to resident American citizens on Friday, October 28th, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Crowne Plaza Karon Beach Phuket, at 509 Patak Road, Karon Beach. The following consular services will be available: -Passport renewal applications (US $67.00 or baht 2,680 for adult passports) -Additional passport pages (no charge) -Notarial services (US $30 or baht 1,200 for the first notarial; US $20 or baht 800 for each additional related notarial), including income letters for immigration. -Embassy registration and/or address change -Absentee ballot application and voting abroad information -Social security, VA or other federal benefits questions -Obtaining forms for marriage registration, report of birth, etc. ****Please bring the correct fee as we will not be able to provide change or accept credit cards**** Please note that we cannot accept or process applications for Consular Reports of Birth (CRBA) during our ACS Outreach trips, though CRBA information packets will be available. Please mark this date on your calendar, and extend an invitation to the America Community residing in the Phuket area. If you have any questions, please e-mail: acsbkk@state.gov <mailto:acsbkk@state.gov or call the American Citizen Services Unit at: 02-205-4049 for more information. We look forward to seeing you on October 28th. Sincerely, American Citizen Services U.S. Embassy Bangkok * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To subscribe or unsubscribe to this list, go to: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/embassy/acsemaillist.htm The U.S. Embassy Consular Section is located at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand (Nearest BTS Skytrain station: Phloen Chit) American Citizen Services Unit Window Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 - 11 AM and 1 - 2 PM Note: The ACS unit is CLOSED on the last Friday of every month. Tel: +66-2-205-4049 Fax: +66-2-205-4103 E-mail: acsbkk@state.gov mailto:acsbkk@state.gov As always, I urge any American resident in the Kingdom to subscribe to this rather handy announcement system, especially since it's free. Given that citizen services are normally available only at the embassy, and the consulate in Chiang Mai, Americans living away from those 2 areas can keep up with the flying visits ACS personnel regularly make to other areas of the country. * * * * * * * * * * Enough for one go . . . Until next time -- Mekhong Kurt
E-mail Change Notification Sign-up Sign-up here for e-mail notification when I add or change something on the site. Just go to the sign-up page. * * * * * * * * * * Where Is *Your* Name??? So you've been a slacker and still haven't signed up for the free BangkokAtoZ.com Updates Mailing List??? ;-) Well, get with the program and sign up right now to be notified via e-mail whenever we add something to the site -- that way, you don't even have to visit the Updates Page to see if there's anything new -- we'll let you know by e-mail. If you want to sign up, just go to the sign-up page. I'm pleased to say that more and more of you are signing up, and I urge all of you not to hesitate! * * * * * * * * * * Where is *Your* "Traveler's Tale"???
Got a "Traveler's Tale"?
-- send me a line! Just send me a *query* note at * * * * * * * * * * Linking to BangkokAtoZ.com If anyone reading this has a website and want to link it to BangkokAtoZ.com, you can copy-and-paste the banner and text link below into your site; they are live links to this site's homepage:
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